Azzam Azzam: Shalit must remain strong
Israeli Druze who served eight years in Egyptian jail visits kidnapped soldier’s family home, says ‘Gilad must believe in God’
Azzam Azzam, the Israeli Druze who was convicted in Egypt of spying for Israel and was jailed for eight years, arrived Tuesday at the western Galilee home of kidnapped solider Gilad Shalit on Tuesday.
“Captivity is not easy, and only internal strength will help Gilad survive,” Azzam said.
“From my personal experience I can say that these are difficult hours for Gilad. He must believe in God and in the fact that there is a government, an entire nation and a warm and loving family waiting for his safe return home.”
'Government knows what it's doing'
Azzam said he would be willing to turn to any organization or individual that may assist in Gilad’s release.
Noam Shalit, the father of kidnapped soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit, turned Tuesday to foreign media authorities seeking aid in the efforts to gain his son’s release. The Shalit family was hoping for a sign that their son was still alive or a report on his condition.
“Every parent wants to know what is happening to his son. Almost three days have gone by and we’re waiting to here news that Gilad is still alive and what is happening to him,” Noam Shalit said as the cameras were fixed on him.
Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon, who also paid a visit to the Shalit family home, dismissed criticism of the government’s conduct during the kidnapping affair, saying, “The IDF is making preparations and the government is going to great lengths to bring Gilad home. The government knows what it is doing.”
